Under Western Eyes

Dover Book

Text Box with description of Book

This heartbreaking and tragic story by Joseph Conrad, (born in Polish Ukraine and himself made an orphan through political tyranny when his revolutionary father is arrested) is told through the eyes and pen of a fictional English teacher, an old man who reflects upon the tale through his own reminiscence and through the diary left by Razumov.
    It begins as Kirylo Sidorovitch Razumov is a University student in 19th century St. Petersburg. He is an orphan, believed to be the son of parents high-ranking enough to have a Prince (whom he barely knows) as a benefactor. His prime goal in life is to excel in school and secure an administrative appointment after his studies are completed.
     However, the occurrence of one unfortunate event turns his life upside down, and forever shatters his dreams.
    After a major political figure is assassinated, Razumov returns home one evening to find the rebel assassin and fellow student, Victor Haldin, taking refuge in his apartment. Though Razumov never had any association with politics, either revolutionary or otherwise, nonetheless his colleagues perceive him as one whom they can trust. Haldin requests that Razumov take steps to facilitate his escape. Thoroughly distraught, Razumov agrees, just to be rid of Haldin and forget the whole evening. All he wants is to be alone so he can complete what he hopes will be the prize essay for the silver medal offered by the Ministry of Education. He arrives at the address where Ziemianitch the sledge-driver is to be, only to find him drunk. After beating him up, Razumov is now not only enraged, but terrified, and chooses to take the coward's way out. He arrives at the home of the Prince, his benefactor, and turns Haldin in.
    Haldin is captured and hanged.
    While Razumov thinks that his cowardly act is accepted as loyalty, he, in fact becomes a suspect, having his apartment broken into and searched, then is summoned by the authorities for questioning. He is then appointed to spy on Haldin's sister and mother, and report activities of the revolutionary organization.
    The rest of the story takes place in Geneva, where we meet Mrs. and Miss Haldin, and Miss Haldin's elderly English tutor who is narrating the story. Here life seems more real, lighter; the heaviness of Russian oppression has lifted. The Haldins learn of Victor's capture and death, and soon Miss Haldin meets Razumov, whom she and the other revolutionaries believe to be a friend and hero. Yet as we follow the lives of the other dissenters, Razumov still remains elusive. He is like a shadow in the background: we know he is there, but know little about him as a person. However, as he begins to understand the people he has betrayed, his human being emerges from the shadow.
     The tension and fascination we now encounter is the struggle within Razumov himself. He finds Miss Haldin beautiful, lovable and the hard shell surrounding him crumbles as conscience replaces heartlessness. He realizes he has brought pain to the innocent. Upon facing that truth, he now must deeply question the morality of his role and the role of the regime for which he is spying. Though his physical end is tragic and heartbreaking, he ultimately gains peace of mind.

This is a book well worth reading. It draws the reader in and holds attention from beginning to end.

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